EP0815657B1 - A radio receiver for vehicle use - Google Patents

A radio receiver for vehicle use Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0815657B1
EP0815657B1 EP96907831A EP96907831A EP0815657B1 EP 0815657 B1 EP0815657 B1 EP 0815657B1 EP 96907831 A EP96907831 A EP 96907831A EP 96907831 A EP96907831 A EP 96907831A EP 0815657 B1 EP0815657 B1 EP 0815657B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
sub
selector unit
detecting circuit
circuit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96907831A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0815657A1 (en
Inventor
Per Ekelund
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Volvo Car Corp
Original Assignee
Volvo AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Volvo AB filed Critical Volvo AB
Publication of EP0815657A1 publication Critical patent/EP0815657A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0815657B1 publication Critical patent/EP0815657B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/06—Receivers
    • H04B1/16—Circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
    • H04B7/0802—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection
    • H04B7/0805—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection with single receiver and antenna switching
    • H04B7/0814—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection with single receiver and antenna switching based on current reception conditions, e.g. switching to different antenna when signal level is below threshold
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
    • H04B7/0802—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection
    • H04B7/0825—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection with main and with auxiliary or diversity antennas

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a vehicle mounted radio receiver comprising a diversity control circuit for detection of multi-path via two or more antennas, and an antenna selector unit for selection of the strongest antenna signal, which antenna selector unit is connected to a detecting circuit comprising means for automatic locking of the antenna selector unit to a main antenna when detecting interrupted function at a sub-antenna.
  • This term is used as a designation for the disturbance which arises as a result of interference of radio waves.
  • the interference is caused by that the transmitted waves are travelling somewhat different routes from a transmitter to a receiver.
  • waves are received that may have been reflected for example by near by mountain walls and/or buildings, causing the transmitted waves to travel different distances.
  • the interference results in that maxima and minima arise with distances within a magnitude which can be estimated within the area that the normal car represents.
  • This problem has been solved by the use of a system with multiple antennas for receiving radio waves in cars, so called diversity.
  • a known diversity system for active compensation comprises multiple antennas, usually a main antenna and a sub-antenna, that are connected to an antenna selector unit which is a part of a radio unit.
  • the antenna selector unit is in its turn connected to a tuner which is connected to a multi-path detector, which mediates an in-signal to said selector unit, which consists of a decision-making circuit which determines which of said antennas will serve as receiving antenna. If multi-path distortion is detected by the detector, the selector unit will immediately switch from one receiving antenna to another, in order to eliminate the disturbing phenomenon, if possible.
  • the system may be adaptable via a manual change over switch, so that the installer may adapt said system on one hand to vehicles with a single antenna, on the other hand to vehicles with multiple antennas. If the installation is not correct, the selector will either, in a vehicle with a single antenna, to pendulate between the antenna and a nonexistent sub-antenna, or in a vehicle with multiple antennas, to avoid activation of the sub-antenna. In both cases, the reception will be less efficient than intended.
  • a similar problem occurs if damage arises on the sub-antenna or its antenna cable in a system having multiple antennas. This will result in that the antenna selector pendulates between the main antenna and the damaged sub-antenna, which leads to more inferior receiving conditions than if the selector was set to single antenna.
  • US 5216434 describes a receiver unit with an antenna selector for a radio receiver with diversity function. Each antenna is connected to a source of current. A fault detecting circuit is connected to the receiver unit, which circuit controls the potential at the current supply connectors for the antenna. At interruption of the antenna feeder cable, the detected potential is changed which is registered as a fault and is indicated by means of a LED. Then it is possible to manually switch off the multi-path function at the receiver unit.
  • this prior art solution requires that the user both must know the reason for the fault indication, and also must be able to execute the manual switch off.
  • One purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a vehicle mounted radio receiver which has a more efficient and safe function for switching off the diversity function when a sub-antenna is missing or has interrupted function.
  • the conventional radio receiver shown in Fig. 1 comprises a main unit 10 with among other a pre-amplifier and a terminal amplifier with connected speakers 11.
  • a tuner unit 12 is connected to the main unit 10 and is equipped with high frequency amplifier blocks for desired radio bands, mixer, oscillator and middle frequency amplifiers.
  • An antenna selector unit 13 is connected to the tuner unit 12 and is provided with ports for two different antennas located in a vehicle at distances apart, a main antenna 14, and a sub-antenna 15.
  • a multi-path detector 16 is connected both to the tuner unit 12 and to the antenna selector unit 13 via a control cable 17.
  • the detector 16 registers the presence of multi-path interferences at the tuner unit 12 and sends a control signal to the antenna selector unit 13 via the control cable 17 for switching from one antenna to the other.
  • the antenna selector unit 13 In order to avoid unnecessary switching from the main antenna to the sub-antenna, either when such an antenna is not present, or if it is not working, the antenna selector unit 13 according to the invention is provided with a detecting circuit for detection of the function of the sub-antenna or its absence. During interruption of sub-antenna function or if it is absent, the antenna selector unit locks to the main antenna.
  • the antenna selector unit and the multi-path detector is provide with components which are known to the man in the field, that do not require any detailed functional description.
  • Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of an antenna selector unit according to the invention, having such a detection circuit.
  • the feed voltage of the sub-antenna is superimposed onto the coaxial cable via a resistor 18.
  • An operational amplifier 19 detects the voltage drop over the resistor 18.
  • the antenna selector unit 13 is connected to the tuner unit 12 at the point 22.
  • the radio receiver and the antenna selector unit may be designed differently than what is shown.
EP96907831A 1995-03-15 1996-03-13 A radio receiver for vehicle use Expired - Lifetime EP0815657B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9500911A SE504065C2 (sv) 1995-03-15 1995-03-15 Radiomottagare för användning i fordon
SE9500911 1995-03-15
PCT/SE1996/000324 WO1996028899A1 (en) 1995-03-15 1996-03-13 A radio receiver for vehicle use

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0815657A1 EP0815657A1 (en) 1998-01-07
EP0815657B1 true EP0815657B1 (en) 2003-10-15

Family

ID=20397549

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96907831A Expired - Lifetime EP0815657B1 (en) 1995-03-15 1996-03-13 A radio receiver for vehicle use

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6058297A (sv)
EP (1) EP0815657B1 (sv)
JP (1) JPH11502076A (sv)
KR (1) KR19980702992A (sv)
DE (1) DE69630367T8 (sv)
SE (1) SE504065C2 (sv)
WO (1) WO1996028899A1 (sv)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3536972B2 (ja) * 2000-03-21 2004-06-14 日本電気株式会社 セルラー端末分離型衛星通信携帯端末の設置システム及び方法
KR100716407B1 (ko) * 2004-10-13 2007-05-11 지멘스 오토모티브 주식회사 능동형 안테나를 가지는 자동차의 무선 송수신 시스템의 수신 장치
JP4120652B2 (ja) * 2005-03-24 2008-07-16 オムロン株式会社 空中線故障検出装置
US20090080559A1 (en) * 2005-05-11 2009-03-26 Michael Armbruster Antenna diversity by means of its through connection for receivers of digital radio signals
US20120052827A1 (en) * 2010-08-26 2012-03-01 Qualcomm Incorporated Decision directed antenna diversity in radio frequency receivers

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3946390A (en) * 1975-04-07 1976-03-23 Motorola, Inc. Radio frequency connector system for portable radios
US4403343A (en) * 1980-09-30 1983-09-06 Clarion Co., Ltd. Diversity receiver
JPS5779739A (en) * 1980-11-05 1982-05-19 Fujitsu Ltd Space diversity reception system
JPS58191538A (ja) * 1982-04-30 1983-11-08 Clarion Co Ltd 車載用ダイバ−シテイ受信装置
JPS6420731A (en) * 1987-07-16 1989-01-24 Fujitsu Ten Ltd Mobile radio receiver
JPS6460027A (en) * 1987-08-31 1989-03-07 Fujitsu Ltd Antenna switching system
US4803447A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-02-07 Motorola, Inc. Three terminal remotely controlled SPDT antenna switch
JPH01261944A (ja) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-18 Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co Ltd Ｐｓｋ波のダイバーシテイ受信機
US5216434A (en) * 1989-05-18 1993-06-01 Nec Corporation Diversity receiving apparatus
JPH06276166A (ja) * 1993-03-24 1994-09-30 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 空中線障害検出装置
US5594394A (en) * 1993-08-31 1997-01-14 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Antenna diversity switching device with switching circuits between the receiver terminal and each antenna
KR0136052B1 (ko) * 1994-12-23 1998-06-01 김주용 에프엠 라디오 다이버시티 안테나 제어장치

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6058297A (en) 2000-05-02
SE9500911D0 (sv) 1995-03-15
JPH11502076A (ja) 1999-02-16
KR19980702992A (ko) 1998-09-05
DE69630367T8 (de) 2004-11-25
SE9500911L (sv) 1996-09-16
EP0815657A1 (en) 1998-01-07
DE69630367T2 (de) 2004-08-05
DE69630367D1 (de) 2003-11-20
SE504065C2 (sv) 1996-10-28
WO1996028899A1 (en) 1996-09-19

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